Week 6 Principal's News 6/6/25

Manuia le vaiaso o le gagana 🇼🇸 Happy Samoan Language Week.

Hill's Cluster Principal's trip 🇦🇺

Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to visit Brisbane, where I spent valuable time with inspiring principals and experienced their schools first-hand.

Berrinba East School places a significant emphasis on outdoor learning and "Nature Play." They've developed remarkable spaces to support this, including a Forest Play Area for unstructured engagement, a Farm Space with veggie gardens and animals, a Loose Parts Space for imaginative construction, and a mountain bike track. These environments are integral to their child-focused approach, which aims to empower every student to achieve personal excellence, guided by principles of respect and honesty, and a vision that "Every student achieves regardless of circumstance".

Another major highlight was attending the State of Origin game at Suncorp Stadium, thanks to an invitation from the NRL in Schools Programme.

The NRL in Schools Programme is built around the fundamental concept of the 4 Cs:

• Connections: Fostering strong relationships and a sense of belonging.

• Confidence: Building self-assurance and belief in one's abilities.

• Character: Developing positive traits like integrity, respect, and resilience.

• Competence: Enhancing skills and capabilities, both on and off the field.

These four pillars are central to the programme's philosophy. Through engaging activities and interactions, the goal is to develop young players' physical skills and social, emotional, and character development.

It's interesting to note that many challenges faced in Dunedin schools are also prevalent across the Tasman.

Both countries are grappling with issues like:

• Student Attendance and Engagement: Ensuring students are consistently present and actively involved in their learning remains a shared concern.

• Teacher Shortages and Workforce Challenges: In both nations, the challenges of attracting and retaining qualified teachers, managing heavy workloads, and addressing teacher well-being are ongoing.

• Literacy and Numeracy Achievement: There's a common focus on improving foundational skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, with concerns about declining proficiency levels in some areas.

• Supporting Vulnerable Students: Schools in both countries face the challenge of providing adequate support for students with diverse learning needs.

• Curriculum Development and Implementation: Both systems are continually reviewing and adapting their curricula to ensure relevance and effectiveness, sometimes facing challenges with consistent implementation and resourcing.

• Student Behaviour: Managing disruptive classroom behaviour and fostering positive learning environments are also shared challenges.

Whānau - Teacher Learning Conversations 🗣️

We're aiming for 100% family attendance at our upcoming learning conversations. We truly believe that when homes and school come together to kōrero, that's when the magic happens for our tamariki.

Please take a moment to book your time slot using the link below:

https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/man7v

Playing after school 🛝

Families enjoying our school grounds after 3 pm is wonderful! To ensure everyone's safety and to allow teachers to complete their work, please remember the following:

Supervision and Playground Use

Adult supervision is required for all children after 3 p.m. Please be aware that you are responsible for your children's safety and behaviour during this time. We kindly ask that you help us reinforce our school's playground expectations. This includes not hanging or climbing on basketball hoops, staying out of all out-of-bounds areas, and using appropriate language.

Learning Spaces

Learning streets are not to be used as play areas. Our classrooms and learning spaces close promptly at 3 pm so teachers can focus on their work. Please don't be offended if a teacher asks you and your children to leave these areas after 3 pm.

We appreciate your cooperation in keeping our school a safe and productive environment for everyone.

Policies and procedures review ✔️

All whānau are invited to view and review the policies currently open for consultation.

1. Visit the website https://kaikorai.schooldocs.co.nz/1893.htm

2. Enter the username (kaikorai) and password (tynestreet).

3. Follow the link to the relevant policy as listed.

4. Read the policy.

5. Click the Start your review button at the top right-hand corner of the page.

6. Select the reviewer type.

7. Enter your name (optional).

8. Follow the prompts to show that you've read the topic and enter your feedback if you'd like to comment.

9. Agree to the privacy statement and click “Submit review”.

If you don't have internet access, school office staff can provide you with printed copies of the policy and a review form.

Emergency trials 🚨

We had a very successful lockdown drill yesterday, with all classes responding quickly, efficiently, and safely. We explain to the children that a lockdown means we secure the buildings and everyone gets into a safe position. This might happen if there's an immediate outdoor danger, like an aggressive dog, a swarm of bees, or if the weather suddenly becomes dangerous.

Staffing news ✏️

Please note that I will be on Board Approved Travel Leave starting today, June 6th, and returning on July 18th.

Mrs Kristen Ferguson will serve as the acting principal during my absence.

Week 6 Principal's Awards- Tino Pai tō mahi 🌟